Brush

ABSTRACT

A brush comprises a first body ( 2 ) and a second body ( 1 ) mounted on the first body ( 2 ). The first body ( 2 ) has a first set of holes ( 4 ) therein and the second body ( 1 ) has a second set of through holes ( 3 ) therein corresponding in number and spacing to the first set of through holes ( 4 ). The first body ( 2 ) is moveable relative to the second body ( 1 ) between a first position in which each hole ( 4 ) in the first set is aligned with a respective hole ( 3 ) in the second set to receive therethrough a bristle bundle ( 5 ), and a second position in which each pair of holes ( 3,4 ) is misaligned to clamp the bristle bundle ( 4 ).

[0001] The present invention relates to a brush and more specifically toa brush for use in a cleaning tool for removing debris from the interiorwall of a pipeline or well casing alone or in combination with solvents.

[0002] Due to operating and environmental conditions, oil, gas and waterwell casings and pipes require regular cleaning to remove debris anddeposits which build up over time. A wide variety of cleaning tools forthis purpose are known, including several which rely on bristlesdisposed in and around the outer surface of the cleaning tool.

[0003] One such cleaning tool is disclosed in GB-2299599 and comprises abody member having one or more cleaning pads each mounted in arespective recess in the outer surface thereof and secured in place by aremovable retaining device. Each of the cleaning pads comprises a bodywhich may be comprised of aluminium or polyurethane fibre compound froman outer face of which bristles protrude. The bristles are mounted to abacking material of fabric or soft rubber material which is bonded tothe body.

[0004] Another such cleaning tool is disclosed in PCT/US93/08040 andcomprises a cylindrical metal sleeve which supports a jacket of foamlike material. A swath of steel bristles extends helical around thejacket. This helical swath comprises a fabric backing strip into whichthe steel bristles are inserted. To minimise the likelihood of thebristles coming loose from the fabric backing strip the bristles areformed from U-shaped staples which are inserted through the rearwardsurface of the fabric backing strip.

[0005] In the wire brush industry, wire brushes are made by insertingsteel bristles into pre-drilled holes in a brush body. These bristlesare held in place by:

[0006] 1. The push-fit of the bristle bundle in the pre-drilled hole,and/or

[0007] 2. The outward pressure applied to the hole sides by a staplewhich is wrapped round the wire bundle as it is punched into the hole.

[0008] Where the brush body is comprised of a relatively soft material,such as plastics or wood, it allows the “spring” in the staple to make aslight indentation in the hole side, into which the staple relaxes. Thisgripping action by the staple then resists the removal of the bristlebundle. However, when the bristle bundle is punched into a metal brushbody, the staple cannot open up and grip the hole in the same manner dueto the hard, non-yielding nature of the metal body. This means that thebristle bundle is only held in by the friction at the bundle itself andthe friction at the staple against the side of the hole.

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a brush foruse in a cleaning tool of the general type described hereinbefore whichprovides improved bristle retention.

[0010] According to the present invention there is provided a brushcomprising a first body and a second body mounted on the first body, thefirst body having a first set of holes therein and the second bodyhaving a second set of through holes therein corresponding in number andspacing to the first set of through holes, wherein the first body ismoveable relative to the second body between a first position in whicheach hole in the first set is aligned with a respective hole in thesecond set to receive therethrough a bristle bundle, and a secondposition in which each pair of holes is misaligned to clamp the bristlebundle, and means for retaining the first body in the second position.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first bodycomprises a cylinder and the second body comprises a cylindrical sleevein which the first body is coaxially received. The inner cylinder may bemoved longitudinally relative to the cylindrical sleeve between thefirst and second positions, or it may be rotated. The brush may comprisepart of a cleaning tool or be adapted to be coupled to a cleaning tool.Alternatively, the brush may form a portion of a length of drill string.

[0012] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the firstand second bodies define a cleaning pad which is adapted in use to bemounted on a cleaning tool such as the one described in GB-2299599.

[0013] The bristles may be of nylon. Alternatively, the bristles may beof wire, such as flame hardened steel or copper. Preferably, a staple orring is wrapped around the inner end of each bristle bundle to furtherimprove retention thereof between the first and second bodies.

[0014] The first and second bodies may be comprised of a resin fibrecompound, for example, polyurethane fibre compound, or may be comprisedof a malleable metal such as aluminium.

[0015] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, byway of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 shows a detail of a brush in accordance with the presentinvention in which the first and second bodies thereof are in the firstposition; and

[0017]FIG. 2 which shows the first and second bodies in the secondposition to grip and clamp a bristle bundle.

[0018] Referring to the drawings the brush comprises a first body 1 anda second body 2. The first and second bodies 1 and 2 may be essentiallyplanar and form a brush pad, or they may comprise a cylinder and anouter cylindrical sleeve slidable on the cylinder. In the detail of thebrush shown in the drawings only one bristle bundle receiving hole isshown, but of course in the complete brush there are several bristlebundle receiving holes, the number, spacing and pattern of which isselected in accordance with the intended application. Each bristlebundle receiving hole is comprised of a through hole 3 in the secondbody 2 and a blind hole 4 in the first body 1. A bristle bundle 5 islocated through the through hole 3 and into the blind hole 4.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1 the first and second bodies 1 and 2 arepositioned such that the through hole 3 is aligned with the blind hole4. In this position the bristle bundle 5 can be freely inserted andwithdrawn. As shown in FIG. 2 the first body 1 has been displacedrelative to the second body 2 to form a staggered hole configurationbetween the through hole 3 and the blind hole 4. This staggered holeconfiguration effects a clamping action on the bristle bundle 5 andthereby prevent its withdrawal. To further improve retention of thebristle bundle 5 between the first and second bodies 1 and 2, a stapleor ring 6 is wrapped around the innermost end thereof.

[0020] Once the first and second bodies have been displaced by therequisite amount, a locking pin/bolt or some position fixing method isapplied to ensure that the first and second bodies remain in thedisplaced position.

1. A brush comprising a first body and a second body mounted on thefirst body, the first body having a first set of holes therein and thesecond body having a second set of through holes therein correspondingin number and spacing to the first set of through holes, wherein thefirst body is moveable relative to the second body between a firstposition in which each hole in the first set is aligned with arespective hole in the second set to receive therethrough a bristlebundle, and a second position in which each pair of holes is misalignedto clamp the bristle bundle, and means for retaining the first body inthe second position.
 2. A brush according to claim 1, wherein the firstbody comprises a cylinder and the second body comprises a cylindricalsleeve in which the first body is coaxially received.
 3. A brushaccording to claim 2, wherein the inner cylinder can be movedlongitudinally relative to the cylindrical sleeve between the first andsecond positions.
 4. A brush according to claim 2, wherein the innercylinder is rotatable relative to the cylindrical sleeve.
 5. A brushaccording to any preceding claim, comprising means for connection in adrill string.
 6. A brush according to claim 1, wherein the first andsecond bodies define a cleaning pad which is adapted in use to bemounted on a cleaning tool.
 7. A brush according to any preceding claim,wherein the bristles are of nylon.
 8. A brush according to any of claims1 to 6, wherein the bristles are of wire.
 9. A brush according to anypreceding claim, wherein a staple or ring is wrapped around the innerend of each bristle bundle to further improve retention thereof betweenthe first and second bodies.
 10. A brush substantially as hereinbeforedescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.